Human Neuropsychology exam 1 questions with
verified answers
computerized tomography (CT) scan Ans✓✓-x-ray beams pass through brain
structures at different angles; allows visualization of brain structures; purpose:
find brain lesions, determine if structures look normal; does not tell you how
brain is functioning
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Ans✓✓-utilizes magnet and radio frequencies;
patient cannot have any metal on or in them; more powerful magnet = better
images; does not tell you how brain is functioning
electroencephalograph (EEG) Ans✓✓-measures electrical voltage of brain waves;
records electrical activity via scalp / surface electrodes; used most often to
diagnose and categorize seizures, monitoring sleep stages, access "gross" levels of
brain activation, and "brain death"
functional MRI (fMRI) Ans✓✓-when neurons become more active, blood flow to
these neurons increases; detects changes in blood flow due to oxygenation;
identifies brain regions that become more active during cognitive tasks; research
on localization of functions; shows how brain is functioning
positron emission tomography (PET) and single positron emission computed
tomography (SPECT) scans Ans✓✓-radioactive molecules (tracers) are injected /
inhaled; tracers bind to glucose, which fuels neurons; third-tier use; shows how
brain is functioning
lumbar puncture (spinal tap) Ans✓✓-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is drawn out of
lumbar section of the spine; diagnoses infections of the brain and CSF such as
meningitis, syphilis, viruses, and bacterial infections
, axial Ans✓✓-top-down view of the brain (dorsal to ventral)
coronal Ans✓✓-face-on view of the brain (anterior to posterior)
sagittal Ans✓✓-side view of the brain (lateral to midline)
hydrocephalus Ans✓✓-too much cerebrospinal fluid enlarges ventricles, which
pushes brain tissue toward the skull
purposes for neuropsychological assessment Ans✓✓-diagnose brain or cognitive
disorders (ex. dementia, concussion, learning disorder, etc.); determine severity
of brain disorder and cognitive deficits;
determine effects of brain damage on functional or everyday capabilities (ex.
dressing yourself, driving, feeding yourself, etc.... can they return to their job?);
establish a baseline for future comparisons (determine how much they
progress/regress/plateu);
make recommendations for rehabilitation and treatment
most basic neuropsychological functions Ans✓✓-arousal / alertness (necessary
for all mental abilities);
attention (associated with frontal lobe functioning)
->sustained attention or vigilance
continuous performance test (CPT) Ans✓✓-used to evaluate someone's attention
span
verified answers
computerized tomography (CT) scan Ans✓✓-x-ray beams pass through brain
structures at different angles; allows visualization of brain structures; purpose:
find brain lesions, determine if structures look normal; does not tell you how
brain is functioning
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Ans✓✓-utilizes magnet and radio frequencies;
patient cannot have any metal on or in them; more powerful magnet = better
images; does not tell you how brain is functioning
electroencephalograph (EEG) Ans✓✓-measures electrical voltage of brain waves;
records electrical activity via scalp / surface electrodes; used most often to
diagnose and categorize seizures, monitoring sleep stages, access "gross" levels of
brain activation, and "brain death"
functional MRI (fMRI) Ans✓✓-when neurons become more active, blood flow to
these neurons increases; detects changes in blood flow due to oxygenation;
identifies brain regions that become more active during cognitive tasks; research
on localization of functions; shows how brain is functioning
positron emission tomography (PET) and single positron emission computed
tomography (SPECT) scans Ans✓✓-radioactive molecules (tracers) are injected /
inhaled; tracers bind to glucose, which fuels neurons; third-tier use; shows how
brain is functioning
lumbar puncture (spinal tap) Ans✓✓-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is drawn out of
lumbar section of the spine; diagnoses infections of the brain and CSF such as
meningitis, syphilis, viruses, and bacterial infections
, axial Ans✓✓-top-down view of the brain (dorsal to ventral)
coronal Ans✓✓-face-on view of the brain (anterior to posterior)
sagittal Ans✓✓-side view of the brain (lateral to midline)
hydrocephalus Ans✓✓-too much cerebrospinal fluid enlarges ventricles, which
pushes brain tissue toward the skull
purposes for neuropsychological assessment Ans✓✓-diagnose brain or cognitive
disorders (ex. dementia, concussion, learning disorder, etc.); determine severity
of brain disorder and cognitive deficits;
determine effects of brain damage on functional or everyday capabilities (ex.
dressing yourself, driving, feeding yourself, etc.... can they return to their job?);
establish a baseline for future comparisons (determine how much they
progress/regress/plateu);
make recommendations for rehabilitation and treatment
most basic neuropsychological functions Ans✓✓-arousal / alertness (necessary
for all mental abilities);
attention (associated with frontal lobe functioning)
->sustained attention or vigilance
continuous performance test (CPT) Ans✓✓-used to evaluate someone's attention
span
